Exterior cladding for insulation systems

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass pipe insulation systems. The insulation systems may include an insulation member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The insulation systems may include a protective cladding having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the protective cladding may be disposed about the outer surface of the insulation member. The interior surface of the protective cladding may include an embossed texture formed from a plurality of protruding features and a plurality of recessed features. The plurality of protruding features may extend at least 1 mm beyond the plurality of recessed features.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pipe insulation system, comprising:
 an insulation member having an inner surface and an outer surface; and 
 a protective cladding having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein:
 the interior surface of the protective cladding is disposed about the outer surface of the insulation member; 
 the interior surface of the protective cladding comprises an embossed texture formed from a plurality of protruding features and a plurality of recessed features; and 
 the plurality of protruding features extend at least 1 mm beyond the plurality of recessed features. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The pipe insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the interior surface of the protective cladding is positioned directly against the outer surface of the insulation member. 
 
     
     
       3. The pipe insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least 40% of the interior surface of the protective cladding comprises the plurality of recessed features. 
 
     
     
       4. The pipe insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exterior surface of the cladding forms an outermost surface of the pipe insulation system. 
 
     
     
       5. The pipe insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the inner surface of the insulation member is disposed about an outer surface of a pipe or vessel. 
 
     
     
       6. The pipe insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the embossed texture permits cross-direction flow of liquid. 
 
     
     
       7. The pipe insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the protective cladding comprises a drainage port. 
 
     
     
       8. A protective cladding, comprising:
 a cladding body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein:
 the interior surface of the cladding body comprises an embossed texture formed from a plurality of protruding features and a plurality of recessed features; 
 at least 40% of the interior surface of the protective cladding comprises the plurality of recessed features; and 
 the plurality of protruding features extend at least 1 mm beyond the plurality of recessed features. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The protective cladding of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the exterior surface of the cladding body comprises the embossed texture. 
 
     
     
       10. The protective cladding of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the embossed texture comprises at least one texture selected from the group consisting of: a vertical corrugated pattern, a repeating oval pattern, a repeating circular pattern, a perforated pattern, a stucco pattern, and a weave pattern. 
 
     
     
       11. The protective cladding of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the cladding body comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
 
     
     
       12. The protective cladding of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the embossed texture permits cross-direction flow of liquid. 
 
     
     
       13. The protective cladding of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the plurality of protruding features extend no more than 10 mm beyond the plurality of recessed features. 
 
     
     
       14. The protective cladding of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the protective cladding forms an outermost layer of a pipe insulation system. 
 
     
     
       15. A method of insulating of a pipe or vessel, comprising:
 positioning an inner surface of an insulation member against an outer surface of a pipe or vessel; 
 positioning an interior surface of a protective cladding against an outer surface of the insulation member, wherein:
 the interior surface of the protective cladding comprises an embossed texture formed from a plurality of protruding features and a plurality of recessed features; and 
 the plurality of protruding features extend at least 1 mm beyond the plurality of recessed features; and 
 
 securing ends of the protective cladding together. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of insulating a pipe or vessel of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 forming a drainage port in a low region of the protective cladding. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of insulating a pipe or vessel of  claim 15 , wherein:
 securing ends of the protective cladding together comprises overlapping a first end over a second end and securing the first end and the second end in an overlapped configuration. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of insulating a pipe or vessel of  claim 15 , wherein:
 at least 40% of the interior surface of the protective cladding comprises the plurality of recessed features. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of insulating a pipe or vessel of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the embossed texture permits cross-direction flow of liquid. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of insulating a pipe or vessel of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the interior surface of the protective cladding is positioned directly against the outer surface of the insulation member; and 
 an exterior surface of the cladding forms an outermost surface of a pipe insulation system.